UPDATE: Robotech® RPG Tactics™

The first container of Robotech® RPG Tactics™ product is on the boat and headed for American shores. If all goes smoothly, it should arrive at the Palladium warehouse around August 8th. As soon as it arrives, we start assembling Kickstarter orders, packing and shipping. Please note that the few hundred copies we are bringing to Gen Con will not affect the shipping to our Kickstarter backers as we can only prep, package and ship so quickly.

One sample of the finished Robotech® RPG Tactics™ game and a few of the expansion packs arrived today. They look beautiful. Freelancer Ben Rodriguez was here working and he went wild over them. We did too. Even though we have been working on every aspect for more than a year now, it is a rush to hold the actual, finished product in our hands. I think you’ll be very pleased with the final product. I know we are.

Again, I want to apologize for any frustration and rancor our plan to sell a few hundred copies of the Robotech® RPG Tactics™ main game and some of the expansion packs at Gen Con Indy may have caused. As I’m sure you have already heard, I was so concerned about it that I decided to put the matter to a vote amongst our Robotech® RPG Tactics™ Kickstarter backers. I’m asking them to give us permission to take the items to Gen Con. This is open to Kickstarter backers only.

We hope the majority answer “yes,” because Gen Con Indy is critical to a successful product launch in the Fall. That said, we are prepared to live by the outcome of the vote.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has already cast a vote, whether it is “yes” or “no.” We appreciate your time and feedback. It is very important for us to get your permission and know what you think. You can get all the details in Robotech® RPG Tactics™ Kickstarter Update #149 and insights about the way I approached it in my Murmur of July 13, 2014.

As I have said, all we have ever wanted is to create a great Robotech® battle game and figures that Robotech fans like ourselves would love. I think you’ll find Robotech® RPG Tactics™ to be that product. It is an honor and a privilege for us to be in a position to bring you that game line. And we have plans for much more. Getting this game into your hands has been a challenge. We are almost there. Thank you, so very much to our Kickstarter supporters and all our dedicated fans. We anticipate Robotech® RPG Tactics™ to start hitting store shelves the end of September or beginning of October (tentative). We need to ship out to our Kickstarter backers first.

UPDATE: Robotech® Academy Kickstarter

Hey, Robotech fans, here is a Kickstarter that you will want to check out and take advantage of. Harmony Gold USA, Inc. has been quietly developing a new Robotech animated series. It is my understanding that concept work, a script, model sheets, new mecha designs and more are already done. Now they are looking to get the production of the pilot financed, at least in part, by Kickstarter.

As a licensee of Harmony Gold, I like what I’m hearing about this new series. It takes place in space during the time period between Robotech®: The Macross® Saga and New Generation as the United Earth Expeditionary Force takes the fight to the Robotech® Masters and Invid. Hence the Sentinels connection (see below). Personally, I’m excited to see what new mecha, characters and stories come out of this new series, and I hope it will give us more material for Palladium’s Robotech® RPG games in the near future.

TAKE NOTE: The current “steal” of the Robotech® Academy Kickstarter, especially for true Robotech® collectors, is the Lieutenant Colonel Tier. Here’s why. You get an original, one-of-a-kind, Robotech® The Sentinels animation cel!! Sentinels cels are hard to find and typically sell for $250-$500 all by themselves. I know, because I bought a couple dozen through Carl Macek when they were first offered in the 1990s, and over the years, I have sold many in that price range. Plus, I think animation art is sure to increase in value over the next decade as people realize they are increasingly rare treasures. The Lieutenant Colonel Tier costs $250 – but the cel alone may be worth that or more all by itself. Nice. PLUS you get all kinds of other cool stuff for your $250 pledge, making it the “steal” of this Kickstarter. I’m considering getting one myself. Note: There are a total of only 150 available so I recommend you snap them up fast, before other people realize what a great deal this is.

Of course, there are other items too. Everything from soundtracks and art prints to coffee mugs and sweatshirts that are fun too.

UPDATE: Rifts® Megaverse® in Flames™

Almost done. Almost done! Wayne will be starting layout this weekend as I finish the writing tweaks to the last three sections. Meanwhile, the guys are proofreading and editing as fast as I’m peeling pages off. This book is fantastic. Check out the new description in this Update. It goes to the printer no later than Tuesday. Ships before we leave for Gen Con; probably around August 7th. If you haven’t gotten your orders in, NOW is the time to do it.

UPDATE: The Rifter® #67

This bad boy is in final production. Goes to the printer next week. More Rifts®, Splicers® and HU2 material. See the description later in this Update. Please note The Rifter® #67 will ship beginning of August. The Rifter® #66 is almost sold out. Get ‘em while you can.

The Surprise Release:

Future Visions – The Artistry of Charles Walton II

Future Visions is a 96 page extravaganza of black and white art for the upcoming Splicers® titles and a couple other Palladium projects. People love Chuck Walton’s artwork so much, we thought it would be fun to release a book that, a) showcases his artwork, and b) presents you a “visual showcase” for upcoming Palladium titles. Some is finished art. Some is concept art. All of it rocks. This is the kind of stuff that transpires behind the scenes. The price for this 96 page book is a deal at $13.95, and you’ll be able to get Chuck to sign it for you at Gen Con Indy. August release. See the description later in this Update. More and even cooler surprises to follow.

UPDATE: Dead Reign™: Graveyard Earth™

Fall release. Sorry, with all the demands on us, we just couldn't get it done. Now shooting for a September/October release. See the description later in this Update.

UPDATE: Robotech®: Expeditionary Force Marines Sourcebook One

– Formerly titled ‘UEEF Marines’

Fall release. Sorry, same story. With all the demands on us, we just couldn't get it done as a Summer release (we really wanted it for Gen Con). Now shooting for an October release. See the description later in this Update.

Gen Con Indy – Palladium Books is Booth #1223 – August 14-17, 2014

Gen Con Indy is promising to be pretty awesome for Palladium fans. We won’t have as many new book releases as we had anticipated, but we will have Rifts® Megaverse® in Flames™,The Rifter® #67, Future Visions, Northern Gun™ 1 & 2, and most of our back stock titles, plus original artwork for sale, some specialty items, some out of print titles, and if our Robotech® RPG Tactics™ backers vote yes, we will have a few hundred copies of the Robotech® RPG Tactics™ box game, four of the expansion packs (Tomahawk/Defender Destroids, Regult Battlepods, Artillery Battlepods, and Glaug Command), and the rule book (comes in the box game but we’ll have loose copies as well).

First come, first served. As always, we can only bring a limited number of products to sell. ALL items are sold on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last!Robotech® RPG Tactics™ in particular. We always try to bring enough of everything to last the entire weekend, but it is impossible to predict. Inevitably, we run out of a handful of titles every Gen Con. And we have no idea of what the demand will be like for Robotech® RPG Tactics™ (provided our Kickstarter backers vote to give us permission to bring the items I’ve listed above). There will only be enough Robotech® RPG Tactics™ products to preview and give a few hundred lucky Gen Con attendees a taste of what they can expect in the Fall when the game and Wave One products hit store shelves.

Palladium Books Gen Con Highlights:

Meet and game with Carmen Bellaire, co-author of the Robotech® RPG Tactics™ rules. Carmen will be running demos of Robotech® RPG Tactics™ at the Palladium booth all Gen Con. Carmen will also have his crew demonstrating his new miniature board game Deus Machina, a gladiatorial robot game set in a Roman-like future. “Robots smashing the crap out of each other,” said Carmen with a grin. It features cards and miniatures. Deus Machina is not a Palladium product. Carmen is also the author of the Splicers® RPG and many other Palladium titles.

Enjoy other Robotech® RPG Tactics™ demos at the booth with Jeff Burke and Thomas Roache. See painted display pieces.

50+ “official” Palladium gaming events in a dedicated area. Coordinated by Gary Miller. More games and demos at the Palladium booth #1223 – all four days.

Artists at the booth include Nick Bradshaw, Mike Leonard and Chuck Walton, who will be selling original artwork and prints.

Meet me (Kevin Siembieda, publisher, game designer, writer, artist), and other Palladium staff and notable personalities, such as Wayne Smith, Jeff Burke, NMI, and others. ALL OF US are available to chat and sign autographs the entire weekend.

Join the fun, get autographs, chat and have a blast.

UPDATE: 2015 Palladium Open House (POH) – May 14-17, 2015

I wanted to repeat this from last week. A number of you have reached out asking that we at least list prices so you can start planning the expenses for your trip to the Open House next year. My apologies for not getting up the full description and pricing weeks ago. We are buried. For now, here are some details and info. This is just for your information. You can not yet place your orders. But soon.

Price of admission covers ALL EVENTS, except VIP Thursday. There are no extra fees for gaming events, panel talks or autographs.

3-Day Weekend Admission: Friday, Saturday and Sunday – $45 per person

Friday Only – $25

Saturday Only – $25

Sunday Only (the day ends at 5:00 PM) – $12

VIP Thursday (this is an ADDITIONAL cost) – $87 – if you are planning to attend the rest of the weekend you’ll need to get a weekend admission as well. VIP Thursday is limited to 120 people plus the Palladium Staff and Freelancers. You get the delicious meal catered by Palladium’s very own Kathy Simmons (people rave about her meal), plus you get an extra afternoon and evening of gaming (opens late afternoon), a more intimate chance to talk with Palladium staff, artists and writers, and first crack at rare collectibles, prints and original art.

30+ Palladium creators. In the past, the POH usually has 30+ creators (writers, artists, editors, staff, Rifter contributors, etc.) attending. More than at any other convention or gathering anywhere, ever! And most are available to you almost the ENTIRE event to chat with you and sign autographs. Some will even run gaming events!

90+ gaming events. Game Masters/Megaversal Ambassadors NEEDED!

Many games run by the people who make them, including Kevin Siembieda, Julius Rosenstein, Carmen Bellaire, Brandon Aten, Taylor White and many others!

More panel talks than ever!

Auction and more.

A family reunion atmosphere.

And it all happens at the Palladium warehouse and offices, where the magic happens! Okay, not quite “all.” When the gaming stops around 1:00 AM every night, the hotel has a large conference room where you maniacs can continue to game till you drop. There is room for at least 8 games in the room.

2015 Open House Hotel – reserve your rooms NOW!

You should reserve your hotel room now. Your card will not be charged until next May.

Comfort Inn

40455 Ann Arbor RoadPlymouth, MI 48170Phone: 734-455-8100

Group Code: Palladium Books – you MUST request the Group Code “Palladium Books” at the time of booking to ensure the correct rate will be quoted and billed to you.

Dates of the 2015 Palladium Open House (POH): May 15-17 (May 14 is VIP Thursday), 2015.

$109.00 (plus tax) per night at the Comfort Inn, a.k.a. “Plymouth Clock Tower Hotel.” That’s $109 (plus tax) for a room with two queen beds or one king with a sofa that has a pull-out sleeper. ALL rooms have a micro-fridge, FREE high-speed wired/wireless Internet and there is a FREE hot breakfast from 6 A.M. to 10 A.M. near the lobby.

Reserve using Group Code Palladium Books sooner than later. The hotel has been remodeled, resulting in a smaller number of rooms. If you know you are coming to the 2015 Palladium Open House, we recommend you reserve your room as soon as possible to get this superior rate. Important Note: You MUST give them the Group Code: Palladium Books to get this rate. Call 734-455-8100 to make your reservation. The hotel does NOT charge your credit card until a few days before the event (next year!) and you can cancel up until May 10, 2015. So there is no reason to wait. Get your room(s) reserved right away. Besides, I suspect POH attendees could take EVERY room in the hotel next year, so the sooner they know that, the sooner they can put MORE rooms aside for us. They don’t believe we’ll sell out the hotel. Silly, new management. :)

The hotel also offers a heated indoor swimming pool, a fitness center (24 hours), and a coin operated laundry. And the large conference room is ours to use, around the clock, for open gaming.

This is the hotel everyone knows and wants. You can start placing hotel reservations for the 2015 Palladium Open House now. Make sure you tell them the Group Code “Palladium Books.” This is a must to get the superior group rate.

That’s all this time around. Stay frosty and game on!

– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher, Writer and Game Designer

NEW! Rifts® World Book 35: Megaverse® in Flames™ – Ships August 7

The Minion War is here and the demons seek to conquer Rifts Earth. They are bringing demonic armies by the tens of thousands across the dimensional divide, unleashing plagues, seeking out magic artifacts, recruiting monsters and mortal allies, and testing their strength against Earth’s military powers. Worse, they are building Hell Pits so that they can unleash Hell on Earth! Not to be outdone, the Minions of Dyval are doing all the same things. Clashes between demons and Deevils are increasing every day and turn into titanic free-for-alls when Earth forces join the battle. As demonic supernatural forces ramp up, enslave people and wreak havoc across the globe, the question becomes: Is this the beginning of a new Dark Age?

NEW! The Rifter® #67 – Summer issue ships August 7

The Rifter® #67 is about adventure and monsters. Plus news, coming attractions, and more.

Every issue of The Rifter® is an idea factory for players and Game Masters to generate new ideas, and find new avenues of adventure. It provides useful, ready to go, source material you can just drop into your ongoing games. A doorway to new possibilities and numerous Palladium role-playing worlds. And the many new characters, O.C.C.s, powers, magic, weapons, villains, monsters, adventures and ideas for one setting can be easily adapted to any Palladium setting. Every issue has material for Rifts® and at least 2-3 other Palladium game lines. And don’t forget, most of the material can be easily adapted for use in ANY Palladium game setting.

The Rifter® Number 67 includes:

Heroes Unlimited™ – Power Behind the Throne – by Alex Tullock. Get a glimpse at some of the true powers pulling the strings of governments and their superhumans. Spice up your Heroes Unlimited™ campaign with some political, spy and espionage elements along with supermen. Plenty of ideas for adventures, and includes NPCs and Hook, Line and Sinker adventure ideas.

Future Visions

– The Artistry of Charles Walton II

We call it Future Visions because it very much gives you a glimpse into the future of what is coming from Palladium Books. It is jam-packed with black and white artwork and concept art for several of the upcoming Splicers® sourcebooks and a couple other Palladium projects. Things we are excited about and want you to be too. People can’t seem to get enough of Chuck Walton artwork, so here is an entire 96 page book filled with it. Some of the art is finished pieces, many others are concept art that may be tweaked and altered, or not used at all. Much of it is material you would never ordinarily see. If you like this book and it sells well, it can be the first of several Charles Walton II art books (and other artists?). We hope you enjoy it. It was a fun, quick and easy project to throw together. It didn't impact our schedule more than a few days.

NEW! Dead Reign™ Sourcebook 5: Graveyard Earth™ – Ships Fall

When the dead rise and communications and power grids collapse, nothing matters except your own survival. But what about the rest of the world? What’s happening in other places? Has any government survived? Is anyplace safe? Dead Reign™ Graveyard Earth™ tries to answer those questions and others. And in doing so, provides gamers and G.M.s with more fuel for adventure.

Zombie World Tour – How the Wave and the Zombie Apocalypse have played out across the globe.

A Thousand Miles of Dead – Getting home from abroad in a world of zombies.

American military forces overseas and their journey home.

Alternative campaign settings and Random Campaign Setting tables.

Random Encounters by Region and Random Survivor Leaders.

Level of Zombie Threat table. Zombies and exposure to the elements.

Walled cities and other Alternative Safe Havens.

Car problems, aircraft landing conditions and encounters on the road and by sea.

NEW! Robotech®: Expeditionary Force Marines Sourcebook One

– Formerly titled ‘UEEF Marines’

Robotech®: Expeditionary Force Marines sourcebook is set in space with the UEEF (United Earth Expeditionary Force) led by Admiral Rick Hunter. This valiant force of mecha clad heroes travel across the galaxy liberating planets from the bondage of the Invid Regent, the Robotech Masters and other tyrants and monsters.

Coming BACK IN PRINT – Rise of Magic™

A Rifts® Chaos Earth® Sourcebook – Summer

Rescheduled for a summer release.

The return of magic has empowered humans with strange and wondrous powers, unlike anything quite yet seen (and different from most conventional types of magic). This only complicates things for Earth’s defenders as the line of distinction between “good guys” and “bad guys” begins to blur.

Robotech® RPG Tactics™ – Coming to Stores Fall, 2014

This is the game Robotech® fans have wanted for decades.

Robotech® RPG Tactics™ is a fast-paced, tabletop combat game that captures the action and adventure of the Robotech® anime. Two or more players can engage in small squad skirmishes or scale up to massive battles. Relive the clashes of the First Robotech War, engage in stand-alone tactical games, or use the dynamic game pieces to enhance your Robotech® RPG experience. Or simply collect your favorite mecha from an expanding range of top-notch game pieces.

Mecha vs Mecha. Take command of the fighting forces of the United Earth Defense Force (UEDF) valiantly defending Earth from alien annihilation. Or lead the massive clone armies of the Zentraedi Armada to recover an alien artifact of immense power and enslave humankind.

Robotech® RPG Tactics™ Box Set – Cat. No. 55100

Brought to you by Palladium Books®, created with Ninja Division (the creative minds behind Soda Pop Miniatures and Cipher Studios).

112 page, full color, softcover rule book. Includes an index and a comprehensive color guide for all Macross mecha in the series.

24 Battle Dice, 12 UEDF and 12 Zentraedi.

53 color game cards (unit cards, etc.).

4x VF-1A Valkyries (in Fighter, Guardian, and Battloid modes).

1x VF-1J "Officer" in all three modes.

4x Destroids: 2 Tomahawks and 2 Defenders.

12x Regult Zentraedi Battlepods.

1x Glaug Officer's Battlepod.

1x Quel-Regult Recon Battlepod.

1x Quel-Gulnau Recovery Pod.

1/285th scale, high quality, multi-pose plastic game pieces (40mm to 70mm tall). World-class sculpts from sculptors around the world.

Game rules use D6.

Turn-based system of play.

Scalable from small squad skirmishes to mass battles. Can accommodate two to several players.

Zentraedi Artillery Battlepods

Give your Zentraedi legion greater firepower with these artillery and support Battlepods; four figures total.

4 Zentraedi Support Battlepods, each of which can be made into any of the following:Gluuhaug-Regult – Light Artillery BattlepodSerauhaug-Regult – Heavy Artillery BattlepodTelnesta-Regult – Experimental Particle Beam BattlepodFour figures total.

Plastic game pieces require assembly and painting.

Not a toy. Small parts, choking hazard. Not recommended for children under the age of 13. Adult supervision advised.

Robotech® Macross® Saga Sourcebook – New 8½ x 11 size – Available now

All the famous mecha and action of Robotech® starts here with the Macross® Saga when an alien armada enters Earth orbit. They have come to reclaim a lost spacecraft that crash-landed on Earth 10 years earlier. A space fortress that Earth’s protectors have rebuilt into their own flagship against alien invasion. The resulting conflict gives birth to heroes and becomes the stuff of legend, but the Earth will never be the same. Robotech® The Macross® Saga Sourcebook is now available as an 8½ x 11 inch sourcebook.

Note: This is the setting for Robotech® RPG Tactics™, so if you’re looking for more information about the mecha, Earth’s defenders, the Zentraedi invaders, and Macross Saga setting, this is the book for you. Epic adventure awaits.

A Robotech® Role-Playing Game Sourcebook:

Transformable Veritech Fighters known as Valkyries take to the sky to defend the Earth.

PDF downloads from DriveThruRPG.com

This is a great resource for getting out of print Palladium titles and other select books. We’ve made 90 titles available as PDF digital downloads from DriveThruRPG.com. This is a great way to try Palladium products and get access to out of print RPG source material. Some notable titles include: